Tercias de Lopera

A public granary in the town of Lopera, the Tercias was the testamentary foundation of Don Gómez Manrique, a Renaissance gentleman. It was built in the second half of the 16th century and there are private houses of more modern construction adjoining one side of the ground floor. It is connected with the Castle by means of an underground passageway which was excavated in the 1960s by the master builder Antonio Cantero.

The presence of Miguel de Cervantes in Lopera is recorded in various documents from the period when he was responsible for collecting grain tax to build the galleys. This is how we know that Cervantes was in Lopera at least from 22 to 25 February, 1592 collecting taxes for the Spanish Armada, which amounted to 200 bushels of wheat and 60 bushels of barley. He even spent the night in the Posada de la Cruz guest house, located on the Calle Real.

For decades it was also used for storing Lopera wines, the basement of the granary being used as a wine cellar because the temperature is ideal.

The upper floor is currently used for holding cultural events, and there is also the Pedro Monje Museum, dedicated to the sculptor, potter and painter born in Lopera. La Tercia Baja, which was the cellar, has been prepared for holding different events. Both parts have been recently restored.